Early California Speaks
What We Do
Early California Speaks is a living history program that chronicles the earliest days of the region that encompasses modern-day California and Baja California. It features a series of presentations that brings to life the historical figures and stories that helped to shape the Old West.
The living history presentations promote the understanding and appreciation of early California by revealing to audiences the unique characters who lived in California during the 1700s and 1800s. Short interpretations chronicle the stories of these people and the period of California history in which they lived. The presentations note historical episodes and distinctive points of interest that are not typically noted in history class. These locations provide the backdrop for a variety of stories that profile the culture, food, historical events and locations, development contributions, and the religion, among other attributes. The presentations can include lectures or Q&A sessions to add a greater understanding of the stories.
Early California Speaks also provides teachers with educational lessons that they can offer their students after seeing a presentation. We offer study guides for many of our presentations that are designed for elementary, secondary, or college students. Instructors can also tailor the lessons to the level of their students. Teacher guides are available.
Early California Speaks also offers customized presentations to meet the special needs of our clients. This would include tours of Old Town San Diego and historical locations. Tours would not only point out noteworthy locations but the stories that make them historically significant.
Victor C. Contreras
Victor Crosthwaite Contreras
Early California Speaks was created by Victor Crosthwaite Contreras from years of working to promote the history of San Diego and California. Contreras is a descendant of two Spanish soldiers who served and helped to build California’s first Mission in San Diego in 1769. He established Early California Speaks in 2018.
Contreras is a longtime educator with advanced degree programs in Education, Counseling, and Administration. His BA is a double major in Drama and Communications. Contreras was certified to train teachers on multicultural education under a federal grant while working for the Sweetwater Union High School District in San Diego. He ultimately became a district-level administrator for the Pasadena Unified School District in charge of Vocational Education and Adult Education. When he first received his California Teaching Credential, Contreras was the youngest such teacher in the state of California. He has also taught at both Southwestern College and UC San Marcos.
Spanning over forty-five years in the entertainment industry, which includes theatrical, TV, movie, and radio credits. He has served multiple terms on the boards of SAG-AFTRA both in Los Angeles and San Diego. Contreras has been the Artistic Director for three professional theater companies.
Victor in the San Diego History Museum next to the exhibit honoring his contributions to San Diego’s early history.
San Diego History Museum
Contreras has worked with California State history of the region for more than the last 50 years. His family, along with other descendants, helped provide research now used in historical parks in the Old San Diego area. Contreras’ mother helped to provide research for the 200th anniversary of San Diego in 1969. Their contributions and the wealth of information that they provided helped the State of California, the County of San Diego and the City of San Diego to form parks in the Old Town San Diego area.
San Diego History Museum Honoring Victor Contreras
Contreras has written theatrical presentations, acted in these presentations, brought in professional actors to perform, and directed presentations for the State Park. He has been the Chairperson of the Descendants of Early San Diego for two terms and served on The Boosters of Old Town San Diego, which is the official nonprofit organization designated by the State of California to work with Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.